Good business practice includes maintaining neatness in a store and outside

Aim Hire

While standing in front of a small local business in Marshalls Creek, I pointed out to an employee the garbage that littered the establishment's bushes and entranceway — cans, bottles, paper and general trash.

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poconorecord.com

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Posted Apr. 5, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Updated Apr 5, 2013 at 8:38 AM

Posted Apr. 5, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Updated Apr 5, 2013 at 8:38 AM

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While standing in front of a small local business in Marshalls Creek, I pointed out to an employee the garbage that littered the establishment's bushes and entranceway — cans, bottles, paper and general trash.

Aiming to be helpful, I said, "This looks really disgusting, and it's not a pleasant way to greet your customers." The young man agreed and apologized, saying that the snow had just melted and that's why we were noticing the trash. I stifled my impulse to explain that the trash had to be there for some time for the snow to fall on top of it in the first place, but he was so agreeable I was sure when I left he'd go back inside, grab a garbage bag, and spend seven to 10 minutes sprucing the place up.

When I returned four days later the garbage was still there. I told another employee about my earlier conversation and she said, "Well, we have to report that to the landlord." Really? I asked her in an astonished tone, "Do you mean to tell me that not one employee is capable of picking up garbage in front of your place of business? You come to work here every day and step right over it? This is our community."

She just repeated the need to let the landlord know. In other words, "Not my job." She was looking at me as if I were a grumpy old lady, so I backed off. I decided to address today's work ethic in this column whose clever name is meant to inspire you to aim higher.

While these folks did provide excellent service, they were unwilling to take an extra step outside their job descriptions to improve their surroundings and enhance the complete customer experience. If you are already employed, competence at doing your job is expected. But what can you do to stand out from the crowd? How are you going to distinguish yourself as a mover and a shaker? No matter your job title or where you are in your corporate hierarchy, everyone is capable of going above and beyond, at least occasionally and especially when your customers are giving you strong clues there's a need for action.

Years ago, my daughter had the thankless, minimum-wage job as a laundromat attendant. Not only did she keep the place immaculate, but she brought in her own plants to cheer up the place, decorated for every major and minor holiday, and put out a bowl of candy at the register. She created a positive ambiance, and the place was hopping. (That's my girl!)

Best-selling author Seth Godin blogs about this question: I'm making money, why should I do more? (sethgodin.typepad.com) He says, "Because doing more than you need to makes it personal.

"Because work that belongs to you, by choice, is the first step to making art.

"Because the choice to do more brings passion to your life and it makes you more alive.

"Because if you don't, someone else will, and in an ever more competitive world, doing less means losing."

"Because you care."

"Because we're watching."

"Because you can."

If you need a boost, check out Godin's book "Purple Cow New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable" and Zig Ziglar's "Success for Dummies."

Stop making excuses for not stepping up. I'm not really a grumpy old lady, but that drives me crazy.